Racepoint Names New Leadership for Europe

Racepoint Group, the technology and digital media public relations agency, has named new leaders for its European and U.K. operations. Cathy Pittham will join the firm as managing director of Racepoint Group Europe.

LONDON—Racepoint Group, the technology and digital media public relations agency that is part of Larry Weber’s W2 communications group, has named new leaders for its European and U.K. operations. Cathy Pittham will join the firm as managing director of Racepoint Group Europe and Blaise Hammond will be promoted from director to managing director of Racepoint Group U.K., reporting to Pittham.

Jay O’Connor and Philip Sheldrake, who sold Fuse PR to Racepoint Group in October 2006, have now completed the post-sale transition period and will leave to pursue other interests. O’Connor will undertake a master’s degree at the London School of Economics and will be president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in 2010. Sheldrake will consult on social web strategies and analytics.

Pittham has delivered strategic marketing and public relations counsel to many of the world’s best-known brands including ARM Holdings, BT, 02, Hitachi, HP and Philips Electronics. She previously worked closely with Racepoint CEO Marijean Lauzier and chairman Larry Weber as managing director of Weber Group Europe and as managing director of technology, Europe, for Weber Shandwick. Most recently, she was an independent marketing communications consultant.

Before building her own consultancy, Pittham led Text 100’s European-based global client practice and was managing director, U.K.

Hammond has 15 years experience in technology and healthcare public relations and has been responsible for national and international campaigns for brands including Intel, Cable and Wireless, Sony, AOL, Fujitsu, NEC and ARM Holdings. As an external consultant to the DTI-backed Broadband Stakeholder Group, he led campaigns that secured broadband access as a key election manifesto issue.

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